Saturday, September 29, 2012

Three members were elected to the Panjab University (PU) senate early on Friday morning as the first round of results of the registered graduates constituency was declared.

Sandeep Kumar from Fazilka was the only candidate to clear the quota of 3,950 after receiving 4,996 votes. The Principal of DAV College, Abohar, Sanjeev Kumar Arora, won the election by garnering 3,236 votes, and Dayal Partap Singh Randhawa of Chandigarh received 2,422 votes. Arora and Randhawa, won as reserved candidates from Punjab and Chandigarh respectively.

After his victory, D P S Randhawa said: "I was re-elected because of my contribution to the University in the past years. I will continue to raise the issues of students as well as teachers in the senate." He is a sitting senator and was also the PU student council president from 1998 to 2000.

A delighted Arora, the Principal, of DAV College, Abohar, said, "I will work on the promotion of better research in the University making it a knowledge hub. Reforms should be initiated to benefit the students".

The ballot boxes for the registered graduates constituency were opened early on Wednesday morning. There are over four lakh registered voters in this constituency but just about 74, 520 votes were polled. The total number of valid votes were 63, 996 and invalid votes were around 10, 600, before the process was stopped. About 65 candidates were contesting for 15 seats. First round of results for the registered graduates' constituency of the Panjab University senate were expected to be declared by Wednesday night, but counting had been suspended after a discord between the candidates and the polling staff. The elections had been held on September 23. A total of 15 rounds of counting had been done before it was closed for the day at 6 pm.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

BADAL PATS FOR OPENING OF TRADE THROUGH FAZILKA AND HUSSAINIWALA BORDERS

TRADE ACTIVITY FROM THESE BORDERS WOULD IMMENSELY BENEFIT THE REGION

PAKISTANI FEDERAL MINISTER ENDORSES BADAL'S VIEW

Mouzam (Fazilka), September 12-

Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today urged the National Governments of India and Pakistan to open trade through Fazilka and Hussainiwala borders of the state to herald a new era of economic development in the region besides promoting people to people contact in the sub continent.

Addressing a mammoth gathering here today in a function organized to felicitate the Federal Minister of Pakistan Government Mr Mian Manjur Ahmed Watoo, who was here to visit his native village, the Chief Minister said that the opening of these borders was the need of the hour as it would promote trade activities between both the countries which would be pivotal in the development of both the eastern and western Punjab. Mr Badal said that he had already taken up this issue with the Government of India adding that he was hopeful of positive outcome on the issue He said that the time has come when both these countries should, as a part of their confidence building measures, remove these physical barriers thereby allowing the free flow of trade and commercial activity between both the countries.

The Chief Minister said that with the inflow of trade and commerce a new era of prosperity and development would be ushered in the Indian Sub Continent in general and in both the eastern and western Punjab in particular. He said that ever since independence the people of border areas of both the countries have lagged behind during the pace of development as they have not got their due share in economic development. However Mr Badal said that if the borders are opened today the borders districts of both the countries would emerge as business hubs.

The Chief Minister said that with the opening of ICP at Wagah border the trade activity has already been set up in motion between the both countries but it would get the much needed fillip only if the Fazilka and Hussainiwala borders are also opened. Mr Badal said that apart from promoting economic activity the opening of these borders would also help in further strengthening the socio-cultural ties amongst the people of both the countries. He said that the opening of trade activity from these borders is of immense significance for us because it would open new avenues of trade for our farmers and traders.

Going down the memory lane the Chief Minister recalled his college days spent in Lahore and shared his vivid memories with the gathering. Mr Badal also said that even today he aspires to visit Pakistan for reviving his vibrant memories of college days adding that even today he was very fond of the delicious Pakistani food.

In his emotional address the federal Minister of Pakistan Mr Mian Manjur Ahmed Watoo expressed gratitude of the Chief Minister for fulfilling his cherished desire of visiting his ancestral house in the village. Mr Watoo also advocated the opening of more trade routes within both the Punjabs so that people on the both the sides of borders could be benefited from it. He said that the matter was under the active consideration of the Pakistani government adding that decision on it is likely soon. Terming himself as 'messenger of love', the Pakistani federal Minister said that he would make all out efforts to ensure that trade between both the countries is boosted.

Earlier Mr Badal also announced a grant of Rs 8 lakh for upgrading the infrastructure of Primary school where Pakistani Federal Minister had studied. Later on the Chief Minister along with Mr Watoo and his family members also paid visit to the ancestral home of the Pakistani Minister and the Primary Government School where he had studied.

Pakistan federal minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo on Wednesday was a visitor in his pre-Partition home. When he landed at this native village of his family in Fazilka district, Wattoo found chief minister Parkash Singh Badal present to greet him. Claiming to be the "messenger of love", Watoo

agreed to work on the CM's suggestion for more trade between the hostile neigbhouring countries.

"I do advocate the opening of more trade routes between the two Punjabs so that people on each side of the border can benefit," said Wattoo at a ceremony in his honour. "The matter is under the active consideration of the Pakistani government, and an early decision is likely."

"India and Pakistan should consider opening the Fazilka and Hussainiwala (Ferozepur) borders for trade and traffic," said Badal. "It will herald a new era of economic development in the region and promote people-to-people contact in the subcontinent."

The opening of bilateral trade through the proposed points would help business in both the east and western Punjab, especially, said Badal. "Since Independence, the people on the border areas of both countries have lagged behind. If the borders were opened, these would emerge as business hubs."

The opening of the integrated check post (ICP) at the Attari-Wagah border has set the bilateral trade activity in motion, said Badal, adding that the fillip would come only if the Fazilka and Hussainiwala borders were also opened. "It will also strengthen the socio-cultural ties among Indians and Pakistanis and open new avenues for even farmers," he said.

The veteran politician recalled his college days in Lahore and shared these memories with the gathering.

CM declares Rs. 8 lakh for Wattoo's old school

The chief minister also announced a grant of Rs. 8 lakh for the upgrade of the infrastructure at the village primary school where Pakistani federal minister had studied. He along with Wattoo and his family also visited the ancestral home and old school of the Pakistani minister.

Pakistan federal minister for Kashmir affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo along with his family arrived in India through Wagah border on Wednesday morning. He is on a private tour and will visit his ancestral village and birthplace Muazzam near Fazilka.

Wattoo who has arrived here on invitation of the state government said, "Pakistan was committed to resolve the Kashmir issue and it is possible through dialogue, and understanding of what Kashmiris want since they are the main stakeholders in this issue." Stressing that Kashmir issue has pushed India and Pakistan too far from each other, Wattoo said that Pakistan was committed to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and advise of Kashmiris.

When asked whether both the countries are stuck on this issue, Wattoo said, "Resolving Kashmir issue is our top priority and we are consistently working on that. I personally feel that the kind of atmosphere created now wherein dialogue is on, solution to this long pending issue is possible, he added."

He also appreciated the way both countries have initiated talks on key issues, especially the recent foreign ministers' meet in Islamabad. He denied commenting when questioned on Pakistani delegates in the past meeting the fundamentalists in Kashmir first, and then their Indian counterparts.

Earlier, getting emotional about his visit to India, Wattoo said, "My ancestors lived in Muazzam village near Fazilka and I was born there. I was a child when our family moved to Pakistan." It was always a desire to see the village again and I feel lucky that the day has come, he added.

When asked about his stay in India Wattoo said, "I will like to see the house where my family lived, the streets, meet people and spend some time in the village. You can understand how eager a person can be to see his birth place." My wife, two sons, daughter and son-in-law are accompanying me and they all are very keen to see the village, he said.

The minister will stay at village Badal for one night and then move towards New Delhi. The minister, on his arrival, was received by Ajnala MP Rattan Singh, cabinet minister Surjit Jayani, Amritsar deputy commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, BSF officials and others.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

A blow has come to the efforts of a Right To Information (RTI) activist to save the Badha lake of Fazilka. A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday dismissed a civil writ petition against a proposed residential colony on the site. The project belongs to the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA).

RTI activist Navdeep Asija of Fazilka, who was behind the dismissed petition, will now move the Supreme Court of India. "Anything to save the lake," he said after the division bench comprising acting chief justice Jasbir Singh and justice Rakesh Jain dismissed the matter after many hearings.

Asija claims to still have the evidence that the lake existed at the site. In reply to his RTI petition, the state forest and wildlife preservation department had accepted that the site held more than 350 green trees and 40 saplings that required care. However, in the court it said it had nothing to do with the land and the case should be dismissed.

Asija also cites a reply from the Punjab state council for science and technology that says the Badha wetland is 30 hectares only, while it can regulate only a wetland bigger than 500 acres. "Nevertheless, the lake to be protected," said Asija.

The state government acquired the land under its "optimum use of vacant plots", overlooking that it was in an eco-sensitive zone. "In the high court, the Punjab state science and technology council accepted the expert report of Dr SS Ladhar and recommended every possible effort to save wetlands," said Asija.

PUDA had failed to seek project permission from the forest and wildlife department and pollution control board and the executive engineers concerned of the drainage, electricity, pubic works, and town and country planning departments.

In 1844, British administrator Patrick Vans Agnew chose the banks of the Badha lake as the site for Fazilka city. The wetland's biodiversity attracted him to build his first bungalow by its waters.

Till 1980s, the lake was Fazilka's main source of drinking water. Mankind's greed choked the natural flow of the Sutlej river that used to recharge the lake with fresh water every year. Revenue record submitted to the court during one of the hearings suggest that from 1977 to 1995, the lake was the fish-farming ground and panchayat made revenue from it.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Something mysterious is killing common cranes at their newfound habitat near Pakki Tibbi village of the Lambi constituency. Hundreds of the birds have already died this season, while dozens are falling prey daily. Pakki Tibbi village was never known for its wildlife attractions but the problem of water logging provided favourable conditions to the common cranes to make colonies on kikar trees along the Abohar-Fazilka railways line adjacent to the village. "Young birds of the specie die every year when their attempts to fly fail, but deaths of mature cranes this season is new phenomenon. Now, the death rate has decreased, but around 40-50 cranes were dying daily till a few days back," said Amreek Singh, a villager.

Four common cranes died during an hour-long stay of the HT team at the colony of cranes on Sunday. Birds fell unconscious before dying. A few days back, forest range officer Jeeta Singh had collected some of the dead birds. However, no postmortem was conducted to find out the reason behind their deaths. On Saturday, some officials of wildlife department and doctors again collected dead cranes and a postmortem report has been promised in 24 hours.

It has been found that the villagers were not comfortable with the presence of a large number of birds near their village. "We have been facing problems of foul smell due to the large population of cranes for the last three years. It has become difficult to live here," said Amreek Singh.

"Reason of the deaths of the cranes will be known only once the postmortem report comes. Villagers say that most the young cranes die while taking their first flight from the top of the Kikar tree. But we are waiting for the postmortem report to know the exact reason," said Kulwant Singh, incharge wild life sanctuary, Abohar.

Locals are of the opinion that there was some problem in the food chain of the common cranes as there are paddy fields in the vicinity where pesticides are used in large scale. People also have a suspicion that some miscreants could have added poison in the pond near the birds' colony.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

FEROZEPUR: Despite a ban on removing sand from riverbeds and small sand dunes, illegal mining of sand on the banks of Satluj in Ferozepur district and small sand dunes falling under Fazilka district has been going on a large scale.

This is in contravention of the directions of Punjab and Haryana high court, which had imposed a ban on mining of sand in the state from August 17, without getting environment clearance certificate from the concerned department.

Hundreds of tractor trolleys illegally excavate sand from the Satluj riverbed in the area daily. Though no company or individual has got permit for removing sand from riverbed, the practice continues unabated in the absence of strict monitoring, sources said.

In Fazilka, illegal mining of sand continues unabated in Ganjuana Hastya, Miani Bast, Salemshah and Kawwanwali villages and hundreds of trucks and tractor trolleys, carrying sand, can be seen plying daily, they said.

According to sources, a well-organized sand mafia has been indulging in this lucrative business. As the mafia enjoys political patronage, officials concerned refrain from taking action against them, they said.

The mafia members have even hired goons, offering them handsome amounts, to prevent anyone from trying to expose this illegal business, they added.

Residents of nearby villages said that mining of sand is common in the area. According to them, a few villagers had even lodged a complaint with the local administration in this regard, but no action has been taken so far.

When contacted, Gurcharan Singh, general manager of district industries department at Ferozepur, said that the department had registered over 15 cases for illegal sand mining, but the activity continues unchecked in the district. Interestingly, the environment department has not given clearance to anybody for removing sand from the total 57 sand dunes falling under the district, sources said.

Recently, the forest department had unearthed an illegal sand mining racket, which was going on in a clandestine manner in a protected forest (PF) area, close to the Indo-Pakistan border near Bareke village under Ferozepur. A case was also registered against three persons in this regard.

Ferozepur deputy commissioner S Karuna Raju said he had directed the SDM concerned and the district administration to stop illegal sand mining in the area and ensure that violators are not spared.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Fulfilling the long-pending demand of area residents, MP Sher Singh Ghubaya on Saturday inaugurated the maiden train between Ferozepur and Sriganganagar at the local railway station. Locals welcomed the train at Fazilka and Abohar railway stations with much fanfare as it spread cheer among the area residents, who have been demanding a rail link between Ferozepur and Sriganganagar since Independence. The fare for over three-hour journey would cost less than the bus journey. While train journey from Ferozepur to Abohar will cost Rs. 41 and Rs. 50 for Sriganganagar, the bus travel costs Rs100 and Rs. 125 for two stations, respectively.

The daily train will start at 5.10 am from Ferozepur and return by 4.30 pm, revealed railway sources.

Earlier, as there was no rail link between Fazilka-Abohar, a Ferozepur-Sriganganagar train was not feasible. However, on July 13, the Fazilka-Abohar rail link was started, which made a Ferozepur-Sriganganagar train journey possible. Congress MLA Parminder Singh, Ferozepur DRM Naresh Chand, besides a battery of senior railway officials, were present on the occasion.

Beautiful Fazilka

Fazilite Network..

About Fazilka...

160 year old historical town Fazilka of District Ferozepur, also known as Bangla, is located in southwestern Punjab (INDIA), about 325 kms west of Punjab State Capital Chandigarh, 85 km south-west of the district headquarters, Ferozepur and 200 km south of Amritsar. Fazilka is on India -Pakistan border and is 11 km off the international border with Pakistan. It is situated on the rice growing and cotton rich belt of the state and is one of the major rice exporting centers in India. Before partition, the town was the biggest wool market in undivided Punjab.

Fazilka’s origin dates back to AD 1844. It was established by Mr. Oliver and was christened after the original owner of the land, Mian Fazil Watoo. The first railway line through the town was setup in AD 1898 on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the accession of Queen Victoria. Being at the border, Fazilka also had to bear the brunt of the two Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971.

The famous ‘Tosha’ sweets have its origin in Fazilka. The first single cylinder steam ship in the world, Fazilka, was named after this town. Fazilka is also home to the second biggest TV tower in Asia, which stands at 305 m above the ground.
Amritsar International Airport and Ludhiana Domestic Airport serves Fazilka. Fazilka Railway Station is located on Abhor- Ferozepur Region of Northern Railways. National Highway 10 passes through Fazilka.

Geography & Demography of the City:

As of 2001 India census,Fazilka had a population of 67,424. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Fazilka has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 62%. In Fazilka, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age